PLANT GROWTH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4680, 28 March 1924, Page 4

PLANT GROWTH.

ELECTRIC LIRHT A STIMULENT.

WESTINGHOUSE LAMP CO. TEST.

Electric light will stimulate the growth of a variety of plants, according to the results of a. six weeks’ test conducted by the .Westinghouse Lamp Company,; in co-operation with Petet Henderson and Company, seedsmen, at the Henderson proving grounds near New York. Many of the specimens subjected to electric light grew during the test more than twice the size of similar plants receiving daj light only, and were considered by experts to be from fourteen to twenty - seven days in advance of normal growth. The tests indicate that electric light will be useful to florists and gardeners in bringing. Howers to an early maturity for definite dates, and in reducing the time required for seedlings to grow large enough to permit transplanting. ’‘What this development means to the agriculturiist is hard to predict,” stated Samuel C. Hibben, National Secretary of the Illuminating Engineering Society and manager of the Illumination Bureau of the Westinghouse Lomp Company , under whose direction these investigations have been conducted,. “H seems, however,” he continued, “to promote a means of doubling the speed of development of many species, and bids fair to enable the horticulturist to bring his flowers into bloom at the time when their market is at its best. This has all been possible by the perfection of flexible and cheap sources of light.” The tests were started on the first of September of last year, when twelve . varieties of vegetables and twelve of flowers were sown in shallow boxes; The soil used was: an ordinary light, sandy soil such as is generally used for starting seedlings. Two sets of boxes were sown, one for growing under the electric light and on for growing with only daylight. The vegetable seeds selected for the experiment were Snowball Cauliflower, Easy Blanching Celery, Tender green Bean, French Forcing Carrot, Davies Perfect Cucumber, Butternut Lei fuco, Scarlet Giant Radish, Egyptian Beet, Rocky Ford Musk Melon, Bonny Beat Tomato, and Golder Heart Endive. The flower seeds selected were Transvaal Daisy, Orange Calendula, Blue Lace Flower, Baby’s Breath, Snap Dragon, Lavender African Daisy, Impatiens, Mignonette, Wallflower, Cincerari, Begonia, and Aster.

The tests were grown on opposite benches under identical conditions of heat and moisture with the exception that one group received no light othei’ than that provided by nature. When the. electric light was turned on, an old cloth curtain divided the one group from the other. The light was switched on every night from eight o’clock until one, when it was automatically shut off. ' According to J. A. Feisler, of Peter Henderson and Company, there was a great difference noted in the germination of the seedlings under the electric light almost from the outset. Germination was’ hastened in some cases to the extent of four tp twelve days, which' advantage was maintained in every case throughout the six weeks of the experiment. Tn this experiment the fact was established that all plants presenting a large leaf surface are greatly stimulated by the additional electric light, as in the case of such leaf crops as lettuce and endive. Tests! preliminary to these by the Westinghouse Lamp Company at Columbia University showed favourable results with such plants as as Boston fern, Calla lilies, and rose geraniums. Power for the .experiments was generated by two Westinghouse 110-volt 2 h.p. farm lighting plants, in order to bring .these tests within the reach of communities where central station power is not available.